Artificial eyelashes and method and apparatus for making same



May 1, 1962 Filed Jan. 13, 1959 I. B- MEEHAN ARTIFICIAL EYELASHES AND METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING SAME 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ATTORNEY- y 1962 I. B. MEEHAN 3,032,042

ARTIFICIAL EYELASHES AND METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING SAME Filed 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 0 0 IHHI m mm x I 'J.|:::.E =I=|.lU

INVENTOR ATTORNEYS This invention relates to beauty aids and more particularly to artificial eyelashes, as well as a method and apparatus for making the same.

The use of artificial eyelashes, particularly for stage and screen purposes, has long been practiced and, to some extent, such beauty aids have been used socially. However, these previously used artificial eyelashes have commonly been of two types, one of which employed a strip of fabric to which the eyelash strands were attached and the strip of fabric in turn being attached by a suitable cement to the upper eyelid. The other type of eyelash heretofore employed consisted in merely supplying a plurality of individual eyelash strands which in turn were attached by a suitable cement to each natural eyelash. In the case of the eyelashes utilizing a strip of fabric while such a device was suitable for stage and screen purposes, nevertheless, the same was not particularly suitable for social uses, since it was substantially impossible to render the strip of fabric invisible with the result that it was clearly apparent that artificial eyelashes were being used. Insofar as the attachment of eyelash strands to individual natural eyelashes was concerned, while these were satisfactory from the standpoint of appearance, the application thereof was inconvenient, diflicult and slow and, consequently, use thereof has been relatively infreuent.

q It is accordingly. an object of this invention to provide an artificial eyelash which may be conveniently attached to the underside of the eyelid below the natural eyelashes, as a result of which the natural eyelashes are substantially concealed and supported by the artificial eyelashes thereby providing a natural appearance and thus defying detection without extremely close inspection.

' A further object of the invention is the provision of artificial eyelashes which may be applied to the eyelids as units, thereby rendering application relatively rapid and convenient.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of artificial eyelashes which may be provided in any desired length and shape and which may be provided with a permanent upward curl in accordance with the desired contour and to suit the particular taste of the user.

' Another object of the invention is the provision of artificial eyelashes so constructed as to prevent drooping after a period of use in order that the same may be maintained in an upwardly curled position thereby accurately simulating natural eyelashes and in which the same may be conveniently removed,.cleaned and re-applied without undue effort or skill on the part of the user.

A further object of the invention is the provision of artificial eyelashes which may be conveniently and economically manufactured and which will also have a relatively long usable life.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a method for making artificial eyelashes in an expeditious and economical manner and in which such eyelashes may be manufactured and supplied in accordance with the wishes of the prospective user.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus for making artificial eyelashes, which apparatus permits convenient handling of the delicate eyelash forming strands, as well as a convenient means for holding the same while imparting a permanent curl thereto.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be tes Patent O "ice apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an artificial eyelash constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of an eye, eyelids and natural eyelashes of a person;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view similar to FIG. 2, but showing the artificial eyelashes of this invention applied to the upper eyelid;

FIG. 4 is a view in perspective showing an apparatus for removably supporting a base strand to which the eyelash forming strands are attached;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged perspective view showing the type of knot utilized to attach the eyelash forming strands to the base strand;

FIG. 6 is a transverse sectional view showing an eyelash forming strand attached to the base strand and the position of the knot look with relation to the eyelash forming strand;

FIG. 7 is a view in perspective showing the apparatus of FIG. 4 with a base strand and attached eyelash forming strands in place thereon;

FIG. 8 is a view in perspective showing the manner in which wax is applied to the knots of the eyelash forming strands in order to prevent inadvertent slippage of the same;

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of a base strand and eyelash forming strands removed from the apparatus shown in FIG. 7 and preparatory to the next step of the process;

FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of an eyelash cut to the desired length preparatory to performing the next step of the process;

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of a mandrel utilized to hold the eyelashes and permit applying a permanent curl thereto and showing the structure which secured the eyelashes in place thereon, as well as the cover sheet utilized to hold the eyelashes in curled condition during the application of heat to permanently set the same;

FIG. 12 is an end elevational view of the mandrel shown in FIG. 11 with the eyelashes secured in place thereon;

FIG. 13 is an elevational view similar to FIG. 11, but showing brushing of the eyelashes to the desired location prior to permanently setting the same by the appli cation of heat;

FIG. 14 is an elevational view of the mandrel of FIG.

11 with the cover sheet rolled around the same to hold the eyelashes in place and also showing the manner of applying heat through the cover sheet to impart a permanent curl to the eyelashes; FIG. 15 is a view in perspective showing the operation of trimming the eyelashes to the desired length and shape preparatory to application of the same to the eyelids of the user;

FIG. 16 is a view in perspectiveshowing the manner of applying a suitable cement to the knots and base strand of the artificial eyelash preparatory to applying the same to the eyelids of the user;

FIG. 17 is a diagrammatic view showing the artificial eyelashes of this invention applied to the eyelid of the user; and

FIG. 18 is a view similar to FIG. 17, but to an enlarged scale and showing the relationship of the artifi cial eyelashes to the natural eyelashes, as well as the manner of attaching the same to the eyelids and the location of the knot loop which serves to support the eyelash forming strands.

With continued reference to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 an artificial eyelash constructed in accordance with this invention and which may well comprise a base strand 1b of any suitable material, such as hair or vegetable or animal fibers and attached to the base strand are a plurality of eyelash forming strands 11 which also may be formed of the same material. As shown in FIG. 2, the natural eyelashes 12 on the upper eyelid 13 curl upwardly at their outer ends, but persons frequently desire longer eyelashes than those which have been supplied by nature and, consequently, the artificial eyelashes of this invention may be conveniently applied to provide the appearance as shown in FIG. 3. The artificial eyelash strands 11 are disposed below the natural eyelashes 12 and thereby serve to support and conceal the same thereby providing a completely natural appearance.

In order to manufacture the artificial eyelashes of this invention, there may be provided apparatus as shown in FIG. 4, and which may well comprise a suitable base 14 to which are attached spaced upstanding posts or supports 15. The supports 15 may be provided in the upper ends thereof with slots 16 which serve to receive and tightly grip a base strand 10 of hair or other suitable material, as set forth above, with the strand 10 in a stretched condition in order to facilitate the next step in the process of making the artificial eyelashes of this invention. As best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the eyelash forming strands 11 are secured to the base strand 1.0 by a slip knot and the loop 17 of the knot is disposed below the outwardly extending portions of the strands 11 in order to support the same and prevent drooping or sagging thereof. Of course, the description of the loop 17 as being below the strands 11 is understood to be with relationto the eyelids of the person to which the eyelashes may be applied. As clearly shown in FIG. 6, the slip knot is drawn tight about the base strand 10 and the loop 17 is shown as disposed below or beneath the strands 11 and this is the same position occupied by the strands when the same is ap -ied to the upper eyelid. As shown in FIG. 7, a sufficient number of eyelash forming strands 11 are secured to the base strand 10 to permit cutting the same to provide a plurality of sets or pairs of eyelashes. Upon completion of the application of the strands 11 tothe base strand 10, the knots are set in place to prevent inadvertent slippage thereof by applying wax 18 thereto, which, as shown in FIG. 8, may be accomplished by the use of a heated iron 19 which has been dipped in the wax 18. The wax 18 is only applied to the knotted portions of the strands 11 and the heat utilized is not sufficient to in any way damage the material forming the base strand 10 or the eyelash forming strands 11. After coolingand setting of the wax 18, the base strand 10 is cut at the desired points in order to provide eyelash sets, as shown in FIG. 10, which are of the suitable length to be applied to each eyelid of the user. Each of these eyelash sets must next be properly shaped and curled to provide the desired permanent contour.

For the purpose of shaping and curling the eyelash forming strands 11, there may be provided a mandrel which, .as shown in FIGS. 11 to 14, may well comprise an elongated cylindrical wood rod 20 provided with a paper cover 21 secured to the cylindrical surface thereof. Also, secured to the mandrel 20 is a cover sheet 22 of cellophane, or other suitable material, and it is 'to be noted, that this cover sheet 22 is secured only along one edge 23 to the mandrel 20 and the opposite edge 24 of the cover .sheet 22 remains free. Extending lengthwise of the mandrel 20 is a flexible element, such as a cord or string 24, and this flexible element may be secured to the mandrel 20.at opposite ends as by means of slots 25 provided therein which serve to securely grip the element 24 and hold the same in place in relatively tight engagement with surface of the mandrel 20.

When itfis desired to shape and curl the eyelash forming strands 11, the same may be applied to the mandrel 20 by disposing the same beneath the flexible element 24 with the base strand 10 adjacent the element 24 and with the eyelash forming strands 11 projecting outwardly therefrom, as clearly shown in FIG. 11. As shown in FIG. 13, a suitable brush 26 may be utilized to brush out the eyelash forming strands 11 to straighten the same and also to dispose the same at any desired curvature and prior to this operation, the cover sheet 22 may be partially rolled or wrapped around the mandrel 20 in order to securely hold the strands 11 in place. After completion of the brushing operation shown in FIG. 13, the cover sheet 22. may be rolled completely around the mandrel 20 to hold the eyelash forming strands 11 in firm engagement with the surface of the paper cover 21, which, of course, causes the strands 11 to assume a curl or curvature having the same radius as the cylindrical surface of the mandrel 20. As shown in FIG. 14, a heated iron 27 may be applied to the strands 11 to impart a permanent set or curl thereto and upon cooling of the same and removal of the mandrel 20, the strands 11 will retain the curl which has been set there in by the application of heat.

The artificial eyelashes of this invention are normally supplied to the user in the condition obtained upon removal from the mandrel 20 and prior to use, it is necessary for the user to trim the eyelash forming strands 11 to the desired length and angularity with respect to the base strand 10. As shown in FIG. 15, this operation may be conveniently performed by disposing the strands 11 on the finger 28 of the user and thereafter a pair of scissors 29 may be utilized to trim the strands 11 in the desired manner. Upon completion of the trimming operation, a suitable cement may be applied tothe base strand 10 and knots thereon, as shown in FIG. 16, and a suitable applicator may be provided by a toothpick 30, or similar implement, which has been dipped. in a cement 31 and which in turn is applied very sparingly to the base strand 10.

The artificial eyelashes may then be applied to the eyelids of the user, as shown in FIG. 18, in which the base strand 10 is disposed below or beneath the upper eyelid 13. and with the eyelash forming strands 11 disposed below the natural eyelashes 12. As shown in FIG. 18, the eye-- lash forming strands 11 extend outwardly an appreciable distance beyond the natural eyelashes 12, the outer ends of which are illustrated by the broken line 32 and with the.

outer ends of the eyelash forming strands 11, being indicated by the broken line 33. It will also be seen from FIG. 18 that the loops 17 of the knots in the strands 11 are disposed below such strands and serve to support the same in an upwardly curved position in order to support the. natural eyelashes 12 and to prevent drooping or sagging; thereof, which would detract from the persons appearance. Obviously, the complete eyelash is applied to each eyelid in a single operation which is relatively convenient and rapid and, furthermore, the same is applied in such a manner as'to conceal the natural eyelashes, thereby providing the user with what appears to be long curled natural eyelashes. The artificial eyelashes may, of course, be removed and cleaned, as desired, and re-a-pplied and the structure is such that the life of the artificial eyelashes of this invention is relatively long.

It will be seen that by the above described invention, there has been provided artificial eyelashes which impart a remarkably natural appearance to the user and in which the same may be conveniently applied and removed and, furthermore, the invention provides a convenient and economical method and apparatus for manufacture of the same, which readily permits of mass production.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the invention, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof and, therefore, the invention is not limited by that which is shown in the drawings and described in the specification, but only as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A method of making artificial eyelashes comprising stretching a base strand somewhat longer than the length of a pair of eyelashes between spaced supports, attaching a plurality of eyelash forming strands to said base strand in side-by-side relationship by means of a slip knot in each eyelash strand with the loop of each knot disposed below the associated eyelash strand to support the same, applying a coating of Wax to each knot, removing said base strand with said eyelash strands attached thereto from said supports and attaching the same to a curling mandrel, brushing said eyelash strands to straighten and dispose the same in the desired relationship in contact with the mandrel, curling said eyelash strands about the mandrel and holding the same in place with a cover sheet, applying heat to said eyelash strands to permanently set the same in curled position, removing said base strand and eyelash strands from said mandrel and cutting said base strand substantially midway of the length thereof to provide a pair of artificial eyelashes.

2. A method of making artificial eyelashes comprising stretching a base strand somewhat longer than the length of a pair of eyelashes between spaced supports, attaching a plurality of eyelash forming strands to said base strand in side-by-side relationship by means of a slip knot in each eyelash strand with the loop of each knot disposed below the associated eyelash strand to support the same, applying a coating of wax to each knot, removing said base strand with said eyelash strands attached thereto from said supports, cutting said base strand to provide a pair of eyelashes and attaching the same to a curling mandrel, brushing said eyelash strands to straighten and dispose the same in the desired relationship in contact with the mandrel, curling said eyelash strands about the mandrel and holding the same in place with a cover sheet, ap-

plying heat to said eyelash strands to permanently set the same in curled position and removing said base strand and eyelash strands from said mandrel.

3. A method of making artificial eyelashes comprising stretching a base strand somewhat longer than the length of a pair of eyelashes between spaced supports, attaching a plurality of eyelash forming strands to said base strand in side-by-side relationship by means of a slip knot in each eyelash strand with the loop of each knot disposed below the associated eyelash strand to support the same, applying a coating of wax to each knot, removing said base strand with said eyelash strands attached thereto from said supports, cutting said base strand to provide a pair of eyelashes and attaching the same to a curling mandrel, curling said eyelash strands about the mandrel and holding the same in place with a cover sheet, applying heat to said eyelash strands to permanently set the same in curled position and removing said base strand and eyelash strands from said mandrel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,107,052 Eiberle Aug. 11, 1914 1,450,259 Nessler Apr. 3, 1923 1,897,747 Birk Feb. 14, 1933 2,079,256 Kaiser May 4, 1937 2,421,432 Phillips June 3, 1947 2,695,621 Cox Nov. 30, 1954 2,812,768 Giuliano Nov. 12, 1957 2,865,380 Michell Dec. 23, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 459,930 Great Britain 1937 

